A widening of the canal
channel creating an area large enough to allow boats to turn around. Usually also the
location of docks for loading and unloading boats.

BERM

The canal bank opposite the
tow path.

BOW

The front of the boat.

BOWSMAN

The boat crew member who
worked at the bow of the boat, and handled the lines during docking and locking.

BRIDGE

A structure designed to
allow traffic to cross over the canal.

CHOLERA

An acute infectious disease
caused by strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Frequently found in fecal-contaminated
food and water. Effecting the intestines, causing diarrhea, severe fluid and electrolyte
loss, and, if untreated, death.

CLEAR

The total unsupported
distance between two supports of a structure.

CORKONIANS

Irish immigrants who
originally hailed from Cork County in Ireland

CRIB

A timber box, built log
cabin-style, filled with stone.

CULVERT

A structure created to
allow water to pass beneath the canal

DAM

A wall built across a river
to allow water to deepen on the upstream side. Used to create a water storage reservoir
for the canal.

DRY DOCK

A large area attached to
the canal, from which all water could be drained. Used in the building and repair of canal
boats.

EMBANKMENT

An earth wall constructed
to contain or exclude water.

FARDOWNERS

Irish immigrants who
originally hailed from Ulster County in Ireland.

FEEDER

A short canal used to link
the canal to a source of water

FRAME

A timber wall, forming the
side of a structure.

FRESHET

A flood.

GATES

A pair of watertight doors
at each end of the lock, which can be closed to allow the water in the lock to raise or
lower to meet the upstream or downstream level.

GRUBBING

The removal of all trees,
stumps, plants and rocks.

HIBERNIAN

Anyone of Irish descent.

LEVEL

The body of water between
two locks.

LIFT

The distance between upper
and lower water levels in a lock.

LINE

Any rope used on a canal
boat.

LOCK

An enclosed section of a
canal with gates at each end, used for raising and lowering boats from one level to
another by admitting, or releasing, water.

MALARIA

An infectious disease
characterized by cycles of chills, fever, and sweating, caused by the parasitic infection
of red blood cells by a protozoan which is transmitted by the bite of an infected female
mosquito.

MULE

The resulting sterile
offspring of the crossing of a female horse and a male donkey.

NAVVIES

Laborers, especially those
employed in construction or excavation projects.

PACKET

A passenger boat used on
the canal.

PRISM

The cross section of the
canal excavation

QUOIN POST

The recess in which a lock
gate pivots.

RABBIT

The nickname for a mule
used by many drivers.

RESERVOIR

The artificial body of
water that builds behind a dam.

SLUICE

A small door in a lock gate
that is opened to allow water to enter, or leave, the lock.

RUDDER

The large, paddle-shaped
structure at the stern of the boat which was used to steer.

STEERSMAN

The crew member who steered
the boat.

STERN

The rear end of the boat,
where the rudder was located.

SUMMIT

The highest point along a
watercourse.

TILLER

The long arm at the top of
the rudder used to steer the boat.

TOW PATH

The bank alongside the
canal upon which the horses or mules used to pull canal boats walk.